Breaking down the New York Giants' class in the 2019 NFL draft.
Round 1, No. 6 overall: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
My take: It's bold. No doubt about that. General manager Dave Gettleman and coach Pat Shurmur just put their reputations and fates on the line with Jones. It's a risky pick. There were mixed reviews on Jones as a prospect. Some thought he had just enough physically and everything mentally to be a franchise quarterback. Others just don't see it, with Jones' "pedestrian talent," as one scout described the No. 6 overall pick. Only time will tell if Gettleman and Shurmur were right.
No waiting: It's hard to critique the philosophy. The Giants were in love with Jones and went and got their quarterback. No hesitation. They didn't want to risk losing out by waiting to see if he were there at pick No. 17. Jones has some similarities to Eli Manning. If he ends with anywhere near the same career, the Giants and their fans will be happy.
Passing on Josh Allen: The Giants loved the Kentucky outside linebacker. He likely would have been the selection had they not gone for Jones. Allen went the next pick, No. 7 overall, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It will be a move that is questioned for quite some time, with draft analysts and fans working on the belief that Jones was overdrafted.
Deandre Baker is a cornerback out of Georgia that won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back in 2018.
Round 1, No. 17 overall: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
My take: Lawrence is an interior lineman better known for his run-stuffing ability than pass-rush skills. I'm not sure that is what the Giants needed most with the premium pick obtained in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. A pass-rusher would have been ideal. Brian Burns, whom they were high on, went one pick earlier. That hurt.
Can he rush? Lawrence had 6.5 sacks as a freshman and only 3.5 sacks his final two seasons. He said part of that can be attributed to a leg injury that affected him for the better part of a year until midway through last season. The Giants are gambling that he is more of the player he was as a freshman than the previous two seasons.
Clemson domination: Lawrence was selected No. 17 overall, but he wasn't even close to the first Tigers defensive lineman taken. Clemson had three defensive linemen drafted in the first 17 picks, with Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 and Christian Wilkins at No. 13.
Round 1, No. 30 overall: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
My take: Baker can play. He was considered the best all-around cornerback in the draft by the Giants, considering his willingness to tackle. He also fills a need. The risk is that some teams were concerned with Baker's character. Regardless, it probably isn't a bad risk to take at the end of the first round, given his skills.
Big enough? Baker measured in at 5-foot-11, 193 pounds at the NFL scouting combine. That's pretty slight for an NFL cornerback. He could be giving up 20-30 pounds to some receivers at this level. It will be interesting to see if his competitiveness and ball skills make up for the lack of size.
Dexter Lawrence is a defensive tackle from Clemson who was named first-team All-ACC in his final season.
Round 3, No. 95 overall: Oshane Ximines, DE, Old Dominion
My take: Ximines fills a position of need, especially after the Giants passed on Josh Allen with the No. 6 overall pick. Ximines was one of the most productive players in FBS. He had 18.5 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks as a senior. He also specialized in forcing fumbles throughout his career. This is a pick that might take time put could ultimately yield big dividends. It made a ton of sense. Too much even.
Round 4, No. 108 overall: Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
My take: Love was a solid player in college. His athletic testing was average but he can play. He’s the kind of player whose tape speaks for itself. It’s hardly a surprise he landed with the Giants given that Gettleman is a tape junkie. Gettleman said after Day 2 the Giants still have players with third-round grades. Love likely fit that bill. He’s the second cornerback taken in this draft. Not a problem. The Giants need as many of them as possible with only Janoris Jenkins a proven commodity at the position.
Round 5, No. 143 overall: Ryan Connelly, ILB, Wisconsin
My take: Connelly is an instinctual player who lacks top-end physical traits. It will be interesting to see where he fits as an inside linebacker. His initial contributions will likely be on special teams. He's not the rangy cover linebacker the Giants are missing.
Round 5, No. 171 overall: Darius Slayton, WR, Auburn
My take: An intriguing pick given Slayton’s elite speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds at the NFL combine and averaged 20.3 yards per catch at Auburn. He could develop into a big-play receiver down the road even though he’s considered a bit raw.
Round 6, No. 180 overall: Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn
My take: The Giants sure are loading up on cornerbacks. Guess that is what happens when you enter the draft without a surefire starter on the outside. Ballentine is an athletic man corner. He ran 4.47 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s a project but an interesting one.
Round 7, No. 232 overall: George Asafo-Adjei, OT, Kentucky
My take: Finally an offensive lineman. The Giants hadn’t taken one in any of their first eight picks. Tackle in particular is an area of need. They take a shot on Asafo-Adjei (6-5, 315 pounds) who started 23 games at right tackle for Kentucky.
Round 7, No. 245 overall: Chris Slayton, DL, Syracuse
My take: Another big body added to the mix. Slayton (6-4, 307) was a three-year starter at Syracuse. He’ll have an opportunity to win a spot in the defensive line rotation. The Giants took a shot with their 10th and final pick of the draft. Why not?